Method and apparatus for aligning track



April 18, 1967 F. PLASSER EIQ'AL 3,314,373

METHOD AND APPARATUS. FOR ALIGNING TRACK Filed Nov. 19, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 18, .1967 F. PLASSER ETAL 3,314,373

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING TRACK Filed Nov. 19, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTORS. FAA/a2, PLnsse/P by se; wwrm United States Patent Ofiicc 3,314,373 Patented Apr. 18, 1967 METHGD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING TRACK Franz Plasser and Josef Theurer, both of Johannesgasse 3, Vienna, Austria Filed Nov. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 412,397 Claims priority, application Austria, Nov. 21, 1963, A 9,356/63 7 Claims. (Cl. 104-8) The present invention relates to improvements in lateral track alignment systems.

In US. Patent No. 3,126,633, dated Mar. 3, 1964, and in copending application Ser. No. 194,141, filed May 11, 1962, in both of which we are joint inventors, we have described lateral track aligning arrangements wherein a first chordal element is laid between the end points of a curved track section, a second and shorter chordal element is between a previously aligned point of the track section and a track point to be aligned, a first parameter, for instance the ordinate, of a track point in relation to the first or longer chordal element is measured, this parameter is transformed into an analogous parameter, for instance the ordinate, for the shorter chordal element, and the track point to be aligned is moved until the shorter chordal element has this analogous parameter.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide means for simply and accurately indicating and fixing the parameters corresponding to the respective chordal elements and their arcs.

It is another object of the invention to control the lateral movement of the track automatically in response to the indication of these parameters.

These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the invention with apparatus which comprises means for defining a chord extending within a curved section of a track and an indicator element adjustably mounted on an axle arranged transversely of the track for cooperation with the chord defining means for indicating the distance of the chord defining means from the track. The axle is arranged on a support mounted for mobility on the track. The indicated distance is used to move the track laterally to an aligned position.

As indicated hereinabove, the alignment is preferably effected by means of two chords of different lengths, with two indicator elements cooperating with the respective chords. The two chords are laid in the curved track section, the ordinate of the longer chord is indicated and fixed, the ordinate of the shorter chord is simultaneously indicated and fixed in dependence on the indication of the longer chord ordinate and in the same ratio as the ratio of the two chords, and the track is laterally moved until the ordinate of the shorter chord has reached the fixed indication.

Preferred apparatus for this alignment system comprises a rotatable shaft constituting the axle and having two threaded sections of different pitch. The indicator elements are nuts mounted on the threaded shaft sections and the ratio of the pitches corresponds to that of the chord lengths or ordinates. The chord defining means may be conductive wires and sensing means are preferably arranged on the indicator elements for contact with the wires, such as electrical contacts on each side of the wires. An electrical circuit including the contacts is provided in this preferred embodiment for controlling two different signals, actuation of one or the other one of the different signals being determined by contact of the wire with one or the other one of the electrical contacts as the indicator element is adjusted on the transversely arranged axle.

In the automated version of the apparatus, the track moving means includes actuating means electrically connected to, and controlled by, the electrical circuit for operation of the track moving means in one or the other lateral direction.

The above objects, advantages and features of the pres ent invention will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of this invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a curved track section to be aligned by means of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing an essential part of the apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic over-all view of the track align ing apparatus, including the track moving means and the electrical control circuit.

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a curved track section 5 extending from point A to point B and wherein point C requires lateral alignment. For this purpose, a longer chord defining means is arranged between points A and B while a shorter chord defining means extends from point A to point C, the illustrated chord defining means being wires 1 and 2, respectively. Obviously, such chord defining means may also be constituted by beams of radiation, such as light or infrared beams, or any other suitable means defining a straight chordal line between two points of the arc of the track section.

The ordinates or offsets of the two chords 1 and 2 are established from point M on the track section, these ordinates or the height of the arc at point M being constituted by the portion of the radius of the circle of which the track section is a part, from point M to the respective chord. F designates the ordinate of chord 1 and f designates the ordinate of shorter chord 2. Point C of the track is to be laterally moved into alignment in the direction indicated by arrows in accordance with the known principles indicated he-reinabove.

The apparatus of this invention is more fully illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As seen therein, it comprises essentially a support mounted for mobility on the track, and axle arranged on the support transversely of the track, an indicator element adjustably mounted on the axle for cooperation with the chord defining means for indicating the distance of the chord defining means from the track, and means for laterally moving the track.

The illustrated support is constituted by a frame or carriage 3 mounted on trucks 4, 4 which rollingly engage the rails 5, 5 of the track. As usual, the rails are fixed to ties 6.

The transverse axle of the illustrated embodiment is a threaded rotatable shaft 8 having one end journaled in on track 4 while its other end is fixed to, or integral with, the shaft of motor 7. The motor is mounted on carriage 3 and is capable of rotating the shaft. Shaft 8 has two threaded sections 9 and 10 of different pitch. The ratio of the pitches of shaft sections 9 and 10 corresponds to the ratio of ordinates F and f of chords 1 and 2, which is the same thing as saying that it corresponds to the ratio of the chord lengths, the pitch of shaft section 10 being smaller than that of shaft section 9.

Each shaft section carries a respective nut 11 and 12 constituting the indicator element for cooperation with chords 1 and 2, respectively. In this way, the paths of the indicator elements 11 and 12 during rotation of shaft 8 are always in a ratio dependent on the ordinate F of the longer chord 1, i.e. its distance from the track point M. In this manner, the ordinate f of the smaller chord 2 is automatically indicated and fixed and the end point C of this chord may be used for lateral alignment of the track at that point.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, each chord indicator element comprises a sensing means for contact with the cords. The illustrated sensing means is constituted by respective pairs of electrical contacts 13, 14 and 13, 14 arranged on each side of wires 1 and 2. An electrical circuit including the electrical contacts controls two different signals to indicate and fix for the operator of the apparatus the location of the chords in relation to the track. Actuation of one or the other one of the signals is determined by contact of the wires with one or the other one of the electrical contacts as the respective nuts 11 and 12 are adjusted by rotation of shaft 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the signals are constituted by lamps of different color, lamps 15, 16 being provided for indicating the location of chordal wire 1 and lamps 17, 18 for indicating the location of chordal wire 2. Depending on whether the wires touch left contacts 13, 13' or right contacts 14, 14, the electrical current sources 19, 19 in the electrical circuit will light up lamps 16, 18 -or 15, 17, thus visibly indicating to the operator by the color of the lighted lamps to which side of the track must be moved to relocate the wires intermediate of, and out of contact with, either of the contacts so as to put out the lamps by interrupting the circuit.

The apparatus of this invention operates as follows:

The carriage 3 moves along the track section from point A, which has previously been aligned, to a point B, which has not yet been aligned, carrying along the chord defining means. The carriage is halted when the apex C of the curved track section between points A and B is to be laterally aligned. At this point, the operator of the apparatus actuates motor 7 to rotate shaft 8 until the indicator nut 11 cooperating with the longer chordal wire 1 accurately indicates and fixes the ordinate F of the chordal wire. Since the wire 1 lies between contacts 13, 14, this ordinate is readily fixed by the operator by observation of the lamps 15, 16. As long as lamp 16 glows, he must rotate the shaft in a direction to move the nut 11 to the right (as seen in the drawing). Reverse rotation is indicated by the glow of lamp 15, when neither lamp glows, the wire 1 is centered and the ordinate thereof in relation to point M is fixed. This rotation of the shaft 8 simultaneously indicates and fixes the ordinate f of shorter chordal wire 2 in dependence on the indication of the longer chord ordinate and in the same ratio as the ratio of the two chords since the indicator nut 12 automatically moves on the shaft section 10 in this ratio, the ratio of the pitches on shaft sections 9 and 10 being the same as the ordinates of the chords.

Thus, after the two chords of different lengths have been laid in the curved track section between points A and B, and theirordinates have been indicated and fixed, the track may be moved laterally at point C until the ordinate of the shorter chord 2 has reached the fixed indication. The indicator nut 12 shows the correct ordinate for wire 2. Therefore, it is only necessary to move the track sufficiently until the wire 2 is centered between contacts 13, 14?, the ends of the wire being held at points A and C of the track. Again, this correct alignment is visibly shown to the operator by the different colored lamps 17, 18. While the nut 12 remains in fixed position, the track point C, to which one end of wire 2 is attached, is moved laterally in one or the other direction until neither of lamps 17, 18 glows, the direction of the lateral movement of point C being indicated by which one of the lamps 17, 18 is lit up.

FIG. 3 illustrates the combination of the above-described apparatus with means for laterally moving the track automatically in response to the signals generated by movement of the respective electrical contacts into, and out of, contact with the chordal wires 1 and 2. In the illustrated apparatus, two like track moving means are mounted adjacent each rail of the track. Each track moving means comprises a hydraulic jack including a piston rod 20 arranged for engagement with, and pushing of, a. rail 5. The piston rod is attached to piston 21 gliding in cylinder 22 and normally held out of engagement with the rail by compression spring 21' mounted in one of the cylinder chambers.

The actuating means to operate the hydraulic jack comprises a hydraulic fluid supply 23 and a pump 24 arranged to deliver hydraulic fluid from the supply to inlet conduit 26 leading to the other cylinder chamber. A three-Way valve 25 is arranged between the output conduit of pump 24, the inlet conduit 26 and return or idler conduits 27 and 28. As a safety valve, a pressure relief valve 29 is mounted in return conduit 28.

The valve 25 is operated by a rod 31 which is moved by solenoid 30. The core of the solenoid 30 forms an integral part of the operating rod 31 which is normally held in the illustrated position under the bias of return spring 32 attached to one end of the rod. The solenoid winding forms part of an electrical control circuit energized by electrical current supply 19a and having one end connected to contacts 13 and 14', respectively, while the other end is connected to signals 17 and 18.

The operation of this apparatus will be obvious from the above description of its structure and will be summarized hereinbelow.

After the shaft 8 has been rotated so that the longer chordal wire 1 is centered between contacts 13, '14, which is indicated visibly by the fact that neither of lamps and '16 glows, the shorter wire 2 will touch either contact '13 or '14. Assuming contact 14' is touched, as shown, this will not only light up lamp '17, which indicates that the track must be moved to the left (as seen in the drawin'g), but will simultaneously actuate the right electromagnet 30 whose winding is connected to the signal source 17. Actuation of this electromagnet moves the associated valve into the illustrated position wherein hydraulic fluid is pumped into the other cylinder chamber and forces the piston 21 inwardly against the pressure of spring 21' to push the rod 20 against the right rail 5 and thus to move the track laterally towards the left. This leftward movement of the track continues until the chordal wire 2 no longer touches contact 14. At this moment, the current source 19a no longer supplies power to the signal source 17 since the circuit thereto is interrupted. The lamp 17 goes out and the right electromagnet is deenergized, whereupon the return spring 32 moves the rod 31 back into its normal position (indicated on the left side of the drawing). In this position of the valve 25, the hydraulic fluid is pumped back to the storage tank through return conduit 27 and the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder chamber flows back into the storage tank through conduit 28 as the compression spring 21' moves the piston 21 into its original position.

Assuming contact 13' were touched by wire 2, lamp 18 would be lit up and the above-described operation of the track moving means would be effected at the left side, signal source 18 being connected to the solenoid 30 on the left side of the track.

Obviously, the described and illustrated embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the concepts of the present invention may be varied and modified in many ways. For instance, the chordal wires may be replaced by electromagnetic wave beams, in which case the electrical contacts would be substituted by suitable diaphragms placed between senders and receivers of the electromagnetic radiation. Also, instead of mounting the indicator elements on a single rotatable shaft with two shaft sections calibrated with differently pitched threaded sections, they could be mounted on two rotatable shafts connected by gearing so calibrated that their rotational speeds are in the desired ratio. Many other modifications and structural embodiments of the disclosed concepts will occur to those skilled in the art, after having benefited from this teaching, and it will be clearly understood that the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for indicating the difference between a desired and an existing track position in a mobile track aligning machine, which comprises, in combination;

(a) means defining a chord extending within a curved section of the track;

(b) a support mounted for mobility on the track;

(c) an indicator element adjustably mounted on the support for movement transversely of the track and for cooperation with the chord defining means,

(1) the indicator element having a contact ar ranged on each side of the chord defining means for contact of a respective one of the contacts with the chord defining means; and

(d) two different signals controlled by said contacts,

actuation of one or the other one of said signals being determined by the contact of the chord defining means with one or the other one of the said contacts as the indicator element is adjusted transversely.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chord defining means is a wire, said indicator element contacts are electrical contacts, and an electrical control circuit interconnects the electrical contacts .and said signals for actuation of the same by a respective one of the electrical contacts upon contact with the wire.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an axle arranged on the support transversely of the track, the indicator element being adjustably mounted on said axle in either direction.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said axle is a rotatable threaded shaft, the driving means being a motor for rotating the shaft, and said indicator element is a nut mounted on the threaded shaft.

5. An apparatus for indicating the difference between a desired and an existing track position in a mobile track aligning machine, which comprises, in combination:

(a) two means defining respective chords extending within a curved section of the track;

(b) a support mounted for mobility on the track;

(c) two indicator elements adjustably mounted on the support for movement transversely of the track and for cooperation with a respective one of the chord defining means, 7

(1) each indicator element having a contact arranged on each side of the respective chord defining means for contact of a respective one of the contacts with the respective chord defining means; and

(d) two different signals controlled by the contacts of each indicator element, actuation of one or the other one of said signals being determined by the contact of the respective chord defining means with one or the other one of the contacts of each indicator element as said indicator element is adjusted transversely.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said chord defining means respectively define a longer and a shorter chord, and further comprising a rotatable threaded shaft arranged on the support transversely of the track, said shaft having two threaded sections of different pitch, the ratio of the pitches corresponding to that of the chord lengths, driving means for rotating the shaft, and each of said indicator elements being a nut mounted on a respective one of said threaded shaft sections whereby rotation of the shaft causes the indicator element nuts to be transversely adjusted in dependence on each other.

7. A method of aligning a curved track section, comprising the steps of laying two chords of different lengths in the curved track section, indicating and fixing the ordinate of the longer chord, simultaneously indicating and fixing the ordinate of the shorter chord in dependence on the indication of the longer chord ordinate and in the same ratio as the ratio of the two chords, and laterally moving the track until the ordinate of the shorter chord has reached the fixed indication.

No references cited.

ARTUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

A. Bl-ERTSCH, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR INDICATING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DESIRED AND AN EXISTING TRACK POSITION IN A MOBILE TRACK ALIGNING MACHINE, WHICH COMPRISES, IN COMBINATION: (A) MEANS DEFINING A CHORD EXTENDING WITHIN A CURVED SECTION OF THE TRACK; (B) A SUPPORT MOUNTED FOR MOBILITY ON THE TRACK; (C) AN INDICATOR ELEMENT ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED ON THE SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT TRANSVERSELY OF THE TRACK AND FOR COOPERATION WITH THE CHORD DEFINING MEANS, (1) THE INDICATOR ELEMENT HAVING A CONTACT ARRANGED ON EACH SIDE OF THE CHORD DEFINING MEANS FOR CONTACT OF A RESPECTIVE ONE OF THE CONTACTS WITH THE CHORD DEFINING MEANS; AND (D) TWO DIFFERENT SIGNALS CONTROLLED BY SAID CONTACTS, ACTUATION OF ONE OR THE OTHER ONE OF SAID SIGNALS BEING DETERMINED BY THE CONTACT OF THE CHORD DEFINING MEANS WITH ONE OR THE OTHER ONE OF SAID CONTACTS AS THE INDICATOR ELEMENT IS ADJUSTED TRANSVERSELY. 